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Compromise plan for downtown OKC boulevard approved

Reporter Zeke Campfield live tweeted from the Oklahoma City Council meeting Tuesday morning. Read about discussions and agenda items below.

By Zeke Campfield | Published: January 8, 2013 Comment on this article

Reporter Zeke Campfield live tweeted from the Oklahoma City Council meeting Tuesday morning. Read about discussions and agenda items below.

@ZekeCampfield 8:33 a.m. Time for another meeting of the Oklahoma City city council. I'll be live tweeting all morning.

@ZekeCampfield 8:35 a.m. Not much on the agenda today except for discussion and approval, maybe, of a design for the downtown boulevard.

@ZekeCampfield 8:36 a.m. Agenda: okc.gov/AgendaPub/iVie…

@ZekeCampfield 8:43 a.m. Having some technical issues - bear with me. Meeting has started, but so far only formalities.

@ZekeCampfield 8:57 a.m. Technical issues resolved, thanks to @stevelackmeyer

@ZekeCampfield 8:58 a.m. OK. The big topic today, again, is the boulevard. But it's last on the agenda, and nothing too exciting in between here and there.

@ZekeCampfield 9:01 a.m. By the way, filing for city council is later this month. Wards open for reelection are: I, III, IV and VII

@ZekeCampfield 9:04 a.m. Believe it or not, the boulevard discussion is here

@ZekeCampfield 9:05 a.m. Mayor Mick Cornett thanks city staff, engineers, public for process of developing boulevard design.

@ZekeCampfield 9:05 a.m. Cornett: We're asking this street to do a lot of things

@ZekeCampfield 9:06 a.m. Public Works Director Eric Wenger to present boulevard proposal, recommendation from consultant

@ZekeCampfield 9:07 a.m. Wenger: Still ongoing design for Blvd; this is just approval of one section -- Classen-Western-Reno corridor crossing

@ZekeCampfield 9:07 a.m. Wenger: Presentation today is same as Dec. 3 public meeting, only condensed. First of four proposed options to be discussed.

@ZekeCampfield 9:08 a.m. So-called Alternative A involves an overpass across a combined Western-Classen corridor, albeit a much smaller elevated highway

@ZekeCampfield 9:09 a.m. Wenger: There were a lot of concerns original proposal would divide OKC. New proposal still moves traffic, but more pedestrian friendly

@ZekeCampfield 9:09 a.m. Wenger: The reason for the study was to find alternatives to 1,100-foot bridge that was originally proposed

@ZekeCampfield 9:10 a.m. Stantec representative now at the podium

@ZekeCampfield 9:10 a.m. Stantec rep: Invigorating to see so many involved in boulevard development

@ZekeCampfield 9:11 a.m. Stantec rep is Bill Ferris. He'll be explaining recommendation to us, council this morning.

@ZekeCampfield 9:14 a.m. Ferris: Original ODOT design was for six-lane road; now looking at four-lane road. "More of an arterial-type core"

@ZekeCampfield 9:14 a.m. Ferris: Narrower highway will allow for future development alongside boulevard

@ZekeCampfield 9:15 a.m. Ferris: Boulevard objections were to reinforce Core to Shore, provide enhanced ped, bicycle access, support redevelopment opp and ...

@ZekeCampfield 9:16 a.m. Objectives, cont: economic growth, incorporate urban tree canopy, enhanced public realm with improved streetscape, and ...

@ZekeCampfield 9:17 a.m. Objectives, cont: Improve overall transportation efficiency and circulation to/from downtown, and support enhanced traffic movements.

@ZekeCampfield 9:18 a.m. Ferris: 38 options for Western-Classen corridor were narrowed down to four, and now down to one

@ZekeCampfield 9:19 a.m. Ferris: Evaluation criteria included right-of-way impacts, functionality, future development, elevated roadway, driver friendly, more ...

@ZekeCampfield 9:19 a.m. Eval criteria cont: Facilitate pedestrian and bicyclist activity, improve existing network deficiencies, address major event traffic.

@ZekeCampfield 9:20 a.m. Ferris: City staff manually counted traffic at 10 intersections in Western-Classen-Reno corridor, then Stantec estimated 1 percent growth

@ZekeCampfield 9:21 a.m. Alternative A includes access at Klein, and at Reno between S Classen and S Shartel

@ZekeCampfield 9:22 a.m. Alternative A includes traffic signal between S Classen and S Shartel.

@ZekeCampfield 9:23 a.m. Another traffic signal would be at Walker/boulevard

@ZekeCampfield 9:24 a.m. If you're not already on the boulevard by the time you hit Classen-Western-Reno corridor, you'll only have one spot to access

@ZekeCampfield 9:24 a.m. Westbound traffic can also access boulevard at N Klein

@ZekeCampfield 9:24 a.m. Ferris: 40,000 vehicles total will use boulevard each day

@ZekeCampfield 9:25 a.m. Eastbound traffic can exit boulevard at S Klein, S Shartel, S Lee; westbound at S Lee only

@ZekeCampfield 9:26 a.m. Again, discussion and vote today concerns only the Western-Classen-Reno corridor. There is more to the boulevard. Much, much more.

@ZekeCampfield 9:26 a.m. No boulevard crossings between Walker and Reno. About a four block zone.

@ZekeCampfield 9:28 a.m. Ferris explains reason Stantec likes Option A. Here they are, in list form: Grade-separation over Western; realignment of Classen with ...

@ZekeCampfield 9:28 a.m. Western; connections to Klein; elimination of segments of Exchange, Classen and Western; superior development opportunities; ...

@ZekeCampfield 9:29 a.m. ... superior pedestrian walkability; fewer utility impacts; less retaining wall; easier to maintain traffic flow.

@ZekeCampfield 9:30 a.m. I like talking about "arrival experiences"

@ZekeCampfield 9:30 a.m. Wenger back at podium, supports Option A

@ZekeCampfield 9:31 a.m. City Manager Jim Couch addressing timeframe for boulevard

@ZekeCampfield 9:31 a.m. Couch: Because of delays for public involvement, there will be further environmental review; boulevard won't be complete now until 2016

@ZekeCampfield 9:32 a.m. Read Michael McNutt's article about delay: okne.ws/11axttF

@ZekeCampfield 9:33 a.m. Couch: Other aspects of boulevard can be completed earlier, as soon as 2014

@ZekeCampfield 9:34 a.m. Couch: Says state transportation told him it could be completed until 2015, but since it hasn't been designed yet they are estimating 2016

@ZekeCampfield 9:34 a.m. It's about to get heated in here -- consultants, council, citizens about to debate boulevard proposal

@ZekeCampfield 9:35 a.m. Councilman Gary Marrs: How does grid concept compare to Option A

@ZekeCampfield 9:35 a.m. Grid option would be a "no build" option -- boulevard would enter downtown, line up with current street grid.

@ZekeCampfield 9:36 a.m. Wenger: Although the grid option was considered "it's not one we proceeded on because we would lose that access to downtown"

@ZekeCampfield 9:36 a.m. Wenger: We are seeing extreme traffic delays at Western and Gaylord; boulevard construction critical to relieve that, plus major events

@ZekeCampfield 9:36 a.m. Wenger: Grid option not impossible, but won't resolve traffic issues experienced downtown today. Boulevard would allay that.

@ZekeCampfield 9:37 a.m. Councilman Ed Shadid: Did Stantec do any further traffic simulations since Dec. 3 public meeting?

@ZekeCampfield 9:37 a.m. Ferris: We did look at Lee Avenue

@ZekeCampfield 9:38 a.m. Shadid wants to know whether consultants were asked to plug in multiple traffic simulations into a computer during study; answer is no

@ZekeCampfield 9:39 a.m. ODOT engineeer David Streb now at podium, taking questions from Shadid

@ZekeCampfield 9:40 a.m. Streb: ODOT stood down while city took public comments

@ZekeCampfield 9:40 a.m. Streb: We do have environmental clearance for six-lane boulevard; but not for revised plan

@ZekeCampfield 9:41 a.m. Streb: Once we receive that input ODOT is going to have to do environmental analysis of entire boulevard

@ZekeCampfield 9:43 a.m. Shadid: If legal injunction that process not followed, that would come not against city or ODOT but federal highways? Streb, yes.

@ZekeCampfield 9:44 a.m. Remember, boulevard is an $80 million project and it's all federal money. More than half will go towards ramps at either end.

@ZekeCampfield 9:44 a.m. Shadid asking heavy questions; Streb answering with grace

@ZekeCampfield 9:45 a.m. RT @stevelackmeyer: Ed Shadid just mentioned the prospect of a legal injunction on the blvd - I can almost guarantee a shiver just went ...

@ZekeCampfield 9:45 a.m. Streb: ODOT excited crosstown is done, but the blvd is an integral part of traffic design.

@ZekeCampfield 9:45 a.m. Reminder: Boulevard originally proposed to fill in footsteps of old I-40 Crosstown, which is now five blocks south

@ZekeCampfield 9:46 a.m. All options studied by Stantec kept boulevard within footprint of old I-40

@ZekeCampfield 9:46 a.m. Yesterday Wenger told me speed limit would be 45 mph at either end of boulevard and 25 mph in the middle, with at least one traffic signal

@ZekeCampfield 9:47 a.m. Shadid: Stantec says challenge of study is lack of consensus about boulevard purpose.

@ZekeCampfield 9:48 a.m. Shadid: What is the purpose and need of the boulevard?

@ZekeCampfield 9:48 a.m. Streb: One of the key concerns/benefits is to ensure citizens can get downtown

@ZekeCampfield 9:48 a.m. Streb: Concern was whether moving I-40 five blocks south would impede ability to access downtown; boulevard project developed to allay that

@ZekeCampfield 9:49 a.m. Shadid: I still want to know what the specific need is for a boulevard

@ZekeCampfield 9:49 a.m. Surprise: Shadid is against the boulevard

@ZekeCampfield 9:51 a.m. Shadid: Is boulevard supposed to take I-40 overflow?

@ZekeCampfield 9:51 a.m. Streb: Some of that is true, but some traffic would have to be rerouted to other highways

@ZekeCampfield 9:52 a.m. Shadid: We're not trying to move 90,000 cars through a corridor with a 25 mph speed limit

@ZekeCampfield 9:52 a.m. Streb: We would try to keep interstate traffic on the interstate as best as possible

@ZekeCampfield 9:52 a.m. Streb: Someone on I-40 from Amarillo to Fort Smith, we would hope they would take another highway. But folks headed downtown would have blvd

@ZekeCampfield 9:53 a.m. Shadid now addressing Russell Claus, city planning director

@ZekeCampfield 9:54 a.m. Shadid asking more historical questions about original development, intent of boulevard

@ZekeCampfield 9:55 a.m. Shadid: What constitutes a boulevard? How do we define a boulevard versus expressway or arterial?

@ZekeCampfield 9:55 a.m. Claus: Boulevard is a "very grand street. It doesn't have functionality solely for moving traffic but is part of a place."

@ZekeCampfield 9:55 a.m. Claus: It's the roadway, but it's also the way the development adjacent to the roadway interacts with the roadway. "It's a larger animal"

@ZekeCampfield 9:56 a.m. Claus: More than anything, it's the buildings and the way they interact with the roadway

@ZekeCampfield 9:56 a.m. Side note: For the sake of the city, let's all hope the boulevard, adjacent buildings get along.

@ZekeCampfield 9:57 a.m. Shadid reading definitions of boulevards, arterials, etc. Says: When I read Stantec report it seems they're defining arterial, not boulevard

@ZekeCampfield 9:59 a.m. Quick break, be right back

@ZekeCampfield 10:05 a.m. Shadid: Do you think there would be economic impact differences between building curve into boulevard and not?

@ZekeCampfield 10:06 a.m. Claus: That analysis was not done

@ZekeCampfield 10:07 a.m. Shadid likes "grid system" or "no build" idea -- would rather boulevard mesh with current grid than snake from California to SW 3rd

@ZekeCampfield 10:07 a.m. Curve brings boulevard down to proposed site of convention center, urban park

@ZekeCampfield 10:08 a.m. Shadid: How is it faster for me to come in on blvd, be diverted south by new park into 25 mph traffic, then head north to business district?

@ZekeCampfield 10:08 a.m. Claus: In the way we travel we all find the path of least resistance

@ZekeCampfield 10:09 a.m. Shadid likes downtown street grid as it is

@ZekeCampfield 10:10 a.m. Between Lackmeyer and Shadid, the boulevard must be shuddering

@ZekeCampfield 10:12 a.m. RT @gibbette: “@ZekeCampfield: Shadid likes downtown street grid as it is”. He's not alone!

@ZekeCampfield 10:12 a.m. Councilman Pete White: I was prepared to vote to support Option A, but now I have some reservations/questions

@ZekeCampfield 10:14 a.m. White: The idea of moving traffic in and out has nothing to do with boulevard but with egresses at either end

@ZekeCampfield 10:16 a.m. White: Public process has changed boulevard project for the better.

@ZekeCampfield 10:17 a.m. Citizens to speak on boulevard now

@ZekeCampfield 10:18 a.m. Fred Hall, chairman/CEO of Hall Capital: I'm in favor of recommended boulevard option

@ZekeCampfield 10:18 a.m. Hall: We move trucks daily in and out of downtown -- "We need this boulevard"

@ZekeCampfield 10:19 a.m. Hall: We also need accessibility, pedestrian and otherwise -- "I believe Option A does that." Asks council to move expeditiously.

@ZekeCampfield 10:21 a.m. Citizen 2, Mark Folk: We lost a lot of culture when they tore down old buildings in OKC

@ZekeCampfield 10:23 a.m. Folk: A rush to judgment on this would be bad; keep city alive by maintaining current grid system

@ZekeCampfield 10:25 a.m. Citizen 3, Russell Pace: Boulevard needs to be straightened out

@ZekeCampfield 10:26 a.m. Citizen 4 is Bob Kemper, spokesman for Friends for a Better Boulevard

@ZekeCampfield 10:26 a.m. Kemper, Friends are against boulevard as proposed; want it to be integrated into current grid instead

@ZekeCampfield 10:27 a.m. Kemper: Most of the "Friends" do not own property downtown, but they realize it's a 50-year issue and "we cannot make a mistake"

@ZekeCampfield 10:27 a.m. Kemper: Overwhelming majority of people in OKC want this boulevard returned to some sort of grid

@ZekeCampfield 10:29 a.m. Kemper: To rush this project, I think, is a huge mistake

@ZekeCampfield 10:29 a.m. Kemper: Public works, city engineers should look at expanding Western, alternating direction between mornings/evenings

@ZekeCampfield 10:29 a.m. RT @BenAllenKOSU: Of the 4 public speakers on the OKC Boulevard so far, 2 have been sporting pocket squares. Classy group.

@ZekeCampfield 10:30 a.m. Citizens done, council to comment again

@ZekeCampfield 10:30 a.m. Councillman Pat Ryan: Public process unprecedented during his tenure on council; also, this is a compromise -- no one gets all they want

@ZekeCampfield 10:31 a.m.